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Bernard Morrison's discipline at Yanga SC has continued to generate heat after he stormed off the pitch on July 12 during the FA Cup semi-final match against Simba SC.

Yanga’s head coach Luc Eymael maintains he is not the ideal person to deal with the players’ disciplinary issues as that is the sole duty of the club's higher-ups.

Morrison has not prominently featured for Yanga since the Tanzanian Mainland Premier League resumed in mid-June due to the issue surrounding his contract.

The Ghanaian maintains he signed a short-term deal with the club while the officials claim he has indeed extended the contract signed in January.

“I am obliged to say that a player has got poor discipline but the full responsibility lies in the hands of those who pay his salaries. My main duty is to ensure the team is doing good,” Eymael told Mwanaspoti.

“It is the club that needs to talk and deal with Morrison's issue and not me. My job is to coach, propose proper diet and other issues.”

Yanga SC media officer Hassan Bumbuli said they will not deal with the Ghanaian now given the team is focused on other important matters.

“We have put aside issues to do with Morrison and now our energy is focused on the remaining league matches. What do we do to finish second on the table? That is the question we are dealing with now,” Hassan told Mwanaspoti as well.

On Thursday, Yanga captain Papy Tshishimbi called on players to respect the club even if they are performing well.

“Players must always remain disciplined and even if one is going to score 200 goals he must remember the club is always bigger than an individual,” Tshishimbi said.

“Matters of discipline must be looked into deeper or it may end up bringing more harm to the team than before.”

Meanwhile, defender Abdalla Shaibu has expressed his willingness to work with Yanga again.

“I am here to train and keep fit as I sort my issues. If the coach is going to be impressed, then I have no reason not to play for Yanga once more,” Shaibu told Mwanaspoti.

“I am not going to divulge everything that is going on because I believe it is time to reflect and see whether I can go abroad and try out anew.”

Shaibu left Yanga to join MFK Vyskov of the Czech Republic last year and later had a trial stint with FK Rigas of Latvia. He ended up returning after the trials were unsuccessful and could be part of Yanga’s 2020/21 squad.

He is currently training with the club at Ubungo in Dar es Salaam.

Kieran Tierney has been urged to keep kicking people in Arsenal training, with Martin Keown telling the Scottish full-back he should make no apologies for being in the Patrick Vieira mould.

Back when the Gunners were regular contenders for the Premier League title, Arsene Wenger worked hard to ensure that a winning mentality was formed in north London.

Character was as important to an ambitious side as ability, with some big personalities drafted into a star-studded squad.

World Cup winners Vieira and Emmanuel Petit were a big part of that set-up, with the French pair looking to lead by example.

For them, training as you intended to play was a vital part of the process, but those standards have slipped at Arsenal in recent times, leading to inevitable regression, although the plan is to bring the good times back.

The signing of Tierney from Celtic in 2019 forms part of that, with the combative 23-year-old urged to keep demanding more from those around him – even if they do not always appreciate his methods.

Former Arsenal defender Keown told Stadium Astro: “I’m told the players told him to calm down a little bit.

“I think I’d have been saying, ‘this is how I train’. Everyone knew that [with me]. I wore screw-in boots in training.

“Thierry Henry used to go berserk because he thought I was trying to kick him in training every day. But I just couldn’t wear moulded boots, I had to wear screw-in boots.

“I wanted to be at my best, and I think Tierney’s the same.

“He shouldn’t apologise for it. In fact, that should be the level of training.

“As it was back then. I can tell you on the training pitch it was white hot, it was very competitive.

“The likes of Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, these guys were winners, World Cup winners, and they wanted to win everything – five-a-sides, four-versus-four, two-versus-two – you couldn’t let anyone down.

“And it breathed that in the football club, so it’s good to have that sort of person and I’m pleased if that’s now what he’s trying to recreate.”

Mikel Arteta is the man charged with the task of finding a winning formula for Arsenal, with the Spaniard in the process of assessing a squad he inherited in December 2019 before dipping into the transfer market for much-needed fresh faces.

US-based teenager Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal joined the Malaysia U-19 centralised camp on Thursday, garnering significant attention from the local sports media.

It was not only reporters and journalists who were present at the Malaysian FA (FAM) headquarters, as Kuzri's arrival was also followed by the arrival of Malaysia's deputy youth and sports minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, who turned up for an informal visit.

However, Fayhsal's visit also happened to be a personal one, as he and the 18-year old player are actually brothers. After he was accompanied to the pitch by FAM officials, he took the time to speak to Kuzri during a water break in the team training.

But when speaking to the press afterwards, the 33-year old politician insisted that the attention must not be on his brother alone.

"The hype must not be on him alone. He is only one player out of those called up for the camp, and every single one these Malaysia U-19 hopefuls deserve our support. They need to compete among each other for a place on the final squad.

"But I welcome by brother's arrival after having undergone a 14-day precautionary Covid-19 quarantine. When I talked to him, he was very, very eager to play for Malaysia U-19," said the politician who was appointed to the post in March this year.

He also denied having a role in persuading the St. Louis FC academy player to return to their father's home country, saying that his younger brother needed no convincing from their family.

"My only part in getting him here, in an indirect manner, was when I talked to our father (Wan Kamal), but at the end of the day, the desire to come to Malaysia is all Kuzri's.

"Our father never forced him to do it and he is here because he wants to be here, which should bode well for the future of Malaysian football. Hopefully he chooses to remain with us," he noted.

Fayhsal's visit also allowed Goal to ask the politician a cheeky question that has long been in the back of our minds: with of two of his younger brothers looking to embark on a career as a professional footballer in the US, did he ever seriously consider playing pro football as well?

Kuzri and Fayhsal's brother, 21 year old Wan Kuzain plays for Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City's reserve team. Late last year he attended a Malaysia U-23 centralised camp, but a documentation hiccup prevented him from joining the team in the Southeast Asian Games.

"My involvement in football was only at the school level, when I played in the Pudu zone (in Kuala Lumpur) in 2004.

"I used to play rugby for the Kuala Lumpur U-19 team, but that was as far as my sporting career ever got to!" answered Fayhsal good-humouredly.

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US-based teenager Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal joined the Malaysia U-19 centralised camp on Thursday, garnering significant attention from the local sports media.

But when asked by Goal whether he will need to protect the 18-year old from media attention and lofty fans' expectations as a young player and outsider, the Young Tigers' head coach Brad Maloney expressed his belief that Kuzri can take everything in his stride.

"He's a young man and I'm sure he can handle himself. I only met him today obviousl,y but he seems quite mature for his age and I'm sure he'll be able to handle himself in those situations.

"I just asked him to find his way because we're not expecting the world from him straightaway. He probably hasn't touched the ball in more than two weeks. He's informed me that he's been keeping up to speed with indoor exercises like cycling. We're going to give him a little bit of time, and hopefully by the time this call up ends, he can really show his true talent," explained the Australian to the press just before conducting team practice.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted Manchester United were "raring to go" again ahead of their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.

Goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial saw United past Crystal Palace 2-0 on Thursday as they continued their top-four push in the Premier League.

United have a short turnaround ahead of playing Chelsea and Solskjaer had questioned why Frank Lampard's team were afforded 48 hours more rest.

But the United manager said his players were ready to go for the clash at Wembley.

"We're fine, we're fit and the players are raring to go, want to play again," Solskjaer told a news conference.

"Of course, anyone can hold their hands up at any moment and say, 'I want to sit out this one'.

"We've got players on the bench desperate to join in, but it was forced with Brandon [Williams] and Luke [Shaw] not being available today.

"Timothy [Fosu-Mensah] did great and Scott [McTominay] has been fantastic. He took a shift for Nemanja [Matic].

"We've got the players who've had the chance over this period to take players off, being three goals up in many games after 60 minutes. We've been fortunate in that respect."

United are fifth in the Premier League table, a point behind Chelsea and level on points with fourth-placed Leicester City with two games remaining.

The Red Devils boss believes his side earned the right to smile after claiming a crucial three points against Palace. 

"It is a tight game and didn't get the rhythm in our passing but two fantastic goals won it for us," he told BBC Sport. 

"Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are enjoying themselves, when they go out onto the pitch for a shift, they go out with a smile and they defend each other too.

"We need to smile and go into this, we have earned this right, no-one thought in January that we would be in with a shout for top four. We have done fantastic since the restart.

"These are the games that matter. That is the thing at Manchester United, you have to step up and show your personality."

Montreal Impact lost 4-3 to Toronto FC on Friday morning, with Ayo Akinola getting a double while Algeria international Saphir Taider got a brace.

Thierry Henry’s men were hoping to win their game at the ongoing MLS is Back Tournament after losing 1-0 to New England Revolution in their first game.

However, they could not get the much-needed result against Greg Vanney’s men at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex.

Richie Laryea gave the Reds an eighth-minute lead. The Canada international of Ghanaian descent profited from a pass from Alejando Pozuelo before firing past Senegal’s Clement Diop after outpacing Shamit Shome.

Six minutes later, Romell Quioto equalised getting a backline-splitting pass from Emanuel Maciel, beating his marker Omar Gonzalez before skimming the ball past goalkeeper Quentin Westberg.

Akinola restored the lead in the 25th minute, firing past Diop to complete a smooth nine-pass sequence.

11 minutes later, Algeria’s Taider levelled matters from the penalty mark after DR Congo’s Chris Mavinga had brought down Quioto.

Within the space of one minute, the Nigerian-American made it 3-2 for the Reds after controlling a sublime Pozuelo pass and outmuscling a defender before beating the Senegalese goalkeeper.

Akinola completed his treble after bundling aside a defender after taking a Nick DeLeon flick-on from a Westberg goal kick before chipping Diop. Taider completed his brace another penalty but that could not rescue his team from defeat.

After putting up a man-of-the-match performance, the hat-trick hero was replaced by Griffin Dorsey, while Mavinga saw every minutes of action. Young Nigerian striker Ifunanyachi Achara was not listed for the encounter.

For Henry’s men, former Nigeria U17 star Orji Okonkwo who is on loan from Serie A side Bologna came in for Quioto after 79 minutes, Taider, Diop as well as Kenya international Victor Wanyama saw every minute of action.  

This defeat place Impact at the base of the log with zero point from two games, in sharp contrast to Toronto who lead with four points from the same number of matches.

A draw for Akinola’s team against New England Revolution on July 21 will cement their place in the next round.

Many ATK fans will remember the name Jewel Raja Shaikh from the 2016 Indian Super League (ISL) final who had scored winning penalty to seal the second title for the Kolkata-based club.

Under Spanish manager Francisco Molina’s tutelage, the Kolkata club had clinched the title against Kerala Blasters in Kochi.

Four years down the line, the man who made it possible for ATK, still remembers his time with the club fondly. He also certified Molina as a unique coach.

During a chat with Goal, the Bengali midfielder was all praises for the current Spain national team’s technical director.

“I have never seen a coach like Jose Francisco Molina. I remember other than Shilton Paul every single player in the squad got game time. As Debjit (Majumder) was exceptional in goal, Shilton never got a chance. But other than him every single player got time.

"He is a unique manager. To him, every single player is equal in the team. Other than a few players like skipper Borja Fernandes, goalkeeper Debjit Majumder and central defenders Henrique Sereno and Tiri, he made changes in every position. I remember all of us in that season had played seven to eight matches,” said Raja.

The footballer also spoke about how Molina did not hesitate to rest the most important players of that team during the second leg of the play-offs clash against Mumbai City FC.

“I remember in the second leg semifinal against Mumbai City FC, Molina had made nine changes. Players like Helder Postiga, Sameegh Doutie and Iain Hume did not start in the second leg. After that, we were reduced to 10 men. At one point we even thought that we won’t make it to the final but we went on to win the league.”

While the fans remember him as the player who had scored the winning goal, Jewel Raja suggested that his contribution to that team was not just limited to scoring the final penalty.

“Scoring the winning goal in the final was definitely memorable but you have to understand something that I did not just score that penalty in the shootout. I had played 120 minutes in the second leg play-offs game and then again played the full match in the final. So it wasn’t just about the goal. I had a lot of contribution in that team,” the former Mohun Bagan player opined.

FC Bengaluru United enjoyed a positive second season in the I-League second division before the lockdown, enforced due to the Coronavirus pandemic, brought the season to a premature halt.

With 14 points on the board, the two-year-old club based out of the southern city were placed second in Group C after playing eight games. ARA FC were on top with the same number of points but a superior goal difference and a game in hand.

But with the season at a stand-still, no team was able to advance to the final round. Goal got in touch with India international Gouramangi Singh who, along with Richard Hood, assumed managerial duties at United.

"I completed my A coaching License last year. Savio (Medeira) sir and Richard, who is the second instructor there got this project wanted to involve me. He is the coach and I am trying to help him in whatever way I can. That is how we are working together.”

The former defender is happy with how the team performed this season and is hoping that the AIFF will find a way to complete it.

“According to our reflection as to how last season went, for a club that is just two years old, we did ok. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, this season has to end before we have a winner. That is unfortunate because we worked hard but there is no result to talk about. But the deadline for the transfer window is October 20 and they want a winner before that, if possible, subject to the situation we are in,” he said.

“The AIFF is assuming that they can have the ISL and I-league in one venue. I think the same goes for the second division. They are very much keen to get it done. We are working behind the scenes to assemble a team for whenever they say that they are ready to go. We are trying our best behind the scenes, hoping that the tournament resumes by mid-September and I think that is what the AIFF is thinking too.

Gouramangi insisted that one of the aspects Bengaluru United are focused on is nurturing local talent from Bengaluru.

“The team a mix of players from all over the country and not just local players. But Bengaluru United have the thought and policy where they want to encourage local players. But they need to be talented. Eventually, it is a football match that you must win, and you need to have a good team with players who we feel can help us win more matches,” he explained.

“I think there are very few people from Karnataka who were involved in the ISL last season. But Bengaluru United cannot be the only platform for the players. Even the ISL is encouraging local players and presenting them with more opportunities. You need to have a team which the coach and the technical team believes is good enough to win a match.

“But we do have some good 18 to 19-year-old local talents. Over time you will begin to hear more about them. It’s a Bengaluru club and we want the local players to use it as a platform for their career. If you see the list of players who have started games, it is not because they are Bengaluru players but because they have worked hard and earned that spot."

You may retire from football, but the passion for the game will forever stay intact. It is hardly surprising that the 34-year-old wants to pursue a career in coaching after gracing the pitch for about 15 years.

“It’s been two years since I decided to take up the coaching job. I don’t think I can stay away from the game. Once you are done, you are either getting into coaching or club football administration. These are the areas where I think I will be comfortable. I did my AFC C license in 2014 and AFC B license in 2016 when I was actively playing.

“Coaching is a tricky job but I enjoy doing it. I started KAGO football training centre with my partner Karan. There are about 100 kids there. I am looking to give back to the kids as much as I can. But I need to see about my career as well. For now, I am trying to understand the game myself.

“Of course, I have my experience as a player. I am trying to understand about the preparation, the preseason and everything. As a player, I have done it, but as a coach, the planning and other things have been a good experience. I am looking to pick up the details regarding management,” he concluded.

Manchester United attacker Marcus Rashford admits players don't know what to expect from VAR after Crystal Palace were denied an equaliser in a 2-0 loss to the Red Devils on Thursday night. 

After Rashford had opened the scoring in first-half injury time, Roy Hodgson's side thought they had pulled level in the 55th minute only for VAR to decide after a significant delay that Jordan Ayew was marginally offside. 

The Red Devils have had a joint-high seven goals scored against them ruled out by VAR this season in the Premier League but both sides were also unlucky not to be awarded penalties on Thursday.  

All in all, Rashford concedes VAR has been nearly impossible to predict, but stressed his side's win is what really matters as United kept pace with the top-four. 

"With VAR you do not know what to expect. It can be difficult at times for both teams," Rashford told BT Sport post-match.

"Every game for us now is a big game, we were scoring goals for fun before Southampton and the last two have been difficult games, we have to work double hard to win today.

"I am trying to be clever inside the box and find half a yard to get a shot off. We have bee improving in our pattern of play. The beginning of the game was very tough.

"Anthony Martial has done a lot of work today and makes himself available to receive the ball. It is always good when your strikers can score.

"We have to go and win every game, that has been the goal for the past few weeks but today has been good to refocus."

Palace chairman Steve Parish took aim at VAR on Twitter, while Ayew, who had his strike ruled out for offside and was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty, feels his side aren't getting the rub of the green when it comes to referee decisions.

"We're just unlucky at the moment, I'm not going to comment [on the penalty decision]. We'll keep pushing and working hard," he told BT Sport. 

"We played really well. We're unlucky not to come out with a point. We’ll try and win the next two games so we can start next season better.

"There's some games where we played well. Home against Chelsea and Man Utd today. We gave them a good game. I'm not going to cry and complain, we just need to keep pushing."

Zinedine Zidane described Real Madrid's latest La Liga triumph as one of his best days in the professional game and declared it sweeter than his Champions League triumphs.

Karim Benzema scored twice as Los Blancos defeated Villarreal 2-1 at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano to secure the trophy with a game to spare.

Madrid won 10 straight games since La Liga restarted after the break caused by the coronavirus pandemic, while it marks the first silverware they have won since Zidane returned for a second spell as head coach in March 2019.

Zidane has now won 11 trophies over his two spells and dedicated the title to Madrid's supporters, who could only watch at home as restrictions remain in place due to Covid-19.

"We won the league in the end because we won the most points it's as simple as that," he told La Liga's coverage of the game. 

"Today is one of the best days for me as a professional and after everything that happened, the three-month break, it's fantastic what's been achieved.

"It's strange for everyone, we can't control the situation, we would have loved to be with the supporters, hopefully that can happen further down the line but for a question of health that can't happen.

"But I'm sure the supporters are happy celebrating at home. I say hello to all those supporters watching at home."

Zidane led Madrid to three straight Champions League titles during his first stint but when asked if this achievement was better, he replied: "Yes, yes.

"Look, the Champions League is the Champions League but the Spanish league requires such an amount of effort. 38 weeks and effort and at the end of those 38 weeks you have more points than everyone else. It's fantastic."

Zidane said Madrid's achievement would not be possible if it were not for the entire efforts of everyone in his squad, including those on the fringe who have not featured as often as their core regulars.

"Well I have my role to play, I believe in the players and I'm just happy for them because they're a group of humans before footballers, they're good people," Zidane added.

"I'm just happy, I'm very content.

"Even the players who didn't play as much they were committed, there are always players who play more and players who play less but you have to give something to the team even if you're one of those who's not playing more.

"If you want to win things, everyone has to contribute, it's difficult to win every week, there are 38 weeks - look at us we're winning it on the penultimate match day."

Sergio Ramos has praised Zinedine Zidane as "unique" after Real Madrid's La Liga title triumph , insisting everything the Frenchman "touches turns into gold".

Madrid headed into a meeting with Villarreal at Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday night knowing a victory would see them crowned champions of Spain for only the third time in the last decade.

Karim Benzema opened the scoring for the hosts, as he produced a cool finish in the box after being played in by Luka Modric on the half-hour mark.

The Blancos were made to wait for their second goal of the night, which came when Ramos won a penalty in the 77th minute.

The Madrid captain stepped up to take the penalty, but he chose to lay the ball off to Benzema to score his second, only for the referee to pull play back and demand a retake.

Benzema stepped up from the spot the second time around and found the net for his 21st La Liga goal of the season, which proved to be the winner.

Villarreal got on the scoresheet late on through Vicente Iborra, but Madrid held on for a 2-1 victory to wrestle the domestic crown back from arch-rivals Barcelona - who were beaten 2-1 by Osasuna at Camp Nou.

Ramos paid tribute to Zidane in his post-match interview with La Liga TV , while expressing his hope that the 48-year-old remains in charge for years to come.

"Everything Zidane touches turns into gold," said the Madrid defender. "We believe in him and in his work. He's the one who has to make the difference, he's a person who trusts players, and few do.

"We hope he stays here for a very long time, he is unique."

Ramos went on to insist that Madrid have fully deserved their success in 2019-20, dismissing critics who have pointed to their luck with VAR decisions since the resumption of the campaign last month.

He said: "The title is a reward for work, consistency and balance. What we have done has great value, despite what they may say.

“Work, when you do it right, is rewarded. There is a lot of merit in winning these 10 games in a row. 

“It was an atypical season, we had to win everything, we did not depend on ourselves at the start. The margin of error did not exist in our heads and we have shown it. 

"These matches cannot be won comfortably. We have 34 Ligas and this is my fifth with Real Madrid, I am very happy. "

Ramos added on his own future at the Bernabeu after entering the final year of his current contract: "Whatever the president wants, I would be delighted, I would like to end my career here. 

"I don't think there will be a problem, either for me or for the president."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lauded his "fantastic" Manchester United squad after a crucial win over Crystal Palace, insisting the players "have earned the right" to smile.

United put the disappointment of Monday's 2-2 draw at home to Southampton behind them by picking up all three points against the Eagles on Thursday night.

Solskjaer's men needed a victory to keep pace with Leicester and Chelsea in the race for a top-four finish, and ran out 2-0 winners at Selhurst Park thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

Palace proved stiff opposition throughout the 90 minutes with their high press and pace on the counter, but the Red Devils made the most of their opportunities and defended resolutely against the threat of Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew.

Rashford's opener came right on half-time, as he completely deceived the Palace defence with a lovely change of direction after receiving the ball from Bruno Fernandes in the box, before slotting the ball past Vicente Guaita.

The home side had their chances in the second period, but United doubled their advantage through Anthony Martial, who produced an expert finish after being played in by Rashford with 12 minutes left on the clock.

The Red Devils have now gone 19 games unbeaten, and they will be guaranteed a place in the Champions League if they win their final two fixtures, with Solskjaer pleased to see the team come through another tough test.

The Norwegian believes his side have made great strides forward since last month's Premier League restart, as he told BBC Sport post-match: "It is a tight game and didn't get the rhythm in our passing but two fantastic goals won it for us.

"The finish was great for Marcus Rashford's goal but there was quick inter-changing passing in the build-up. We did not do it enough because they are a handful to play against, they have to trust themselves more.

"It looked like Victor Lindelof kicks the ball first and it is a tight decision but probably the same on Anthony Martial. I don't think it was a penalty.

"When we go the second goal, that is when they started strutting about. It is tight scheduling but we cannot afford starts like this.

"Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are enjoying themselves, when they go out onto the pitch for a shift, they go out with a smile and they defend each other too.

"We need to smile and go into this, we have earned this right, no-one thought in January that we would be in with a shout for top four. We have done fantastic since the restart.

"These are the games that matter. That is the thing at Manchester United, you have to step up and show your personality."

Quique Setien says he doesn't know if he'll still be coaching Barcelona when they resume their Champions League campaign in August, as he acknowledged his job could be at risk after the team's failed La Liga title defence.

Barca's chances of winning a third consecutive Spanish top-flight crown were dashed when Real Madrid picked up a 2-1 win at home to Villarreal on Thursday night.

Setien's men needed to win against Osasuna at Camp Nou while hoping their arch-rivals dropped points, but they slumped to their sixth defeat of the season.

Jose Arnaiz opened the scoring for the visitors when he volleyed past Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the Barca net with just 15 minutes on the clock, much to the dismay of Setien and his staff in the dugout.

Barca toiled in vain for an equaliser until Lionel Messi stepped up to take a free-kick just after the hour mark, and the Argentine produced a trademark finish to haul the home side level.

Unfortunately, the Blaugrana were unable to build on the Argentine's moment of magic, and Osasuna snatched all three points in stoppage when Roberto Torres steered the ball into the net following a swift counter-attack.

Madrid's 34th La Liga title was confirmed after the final whistle, while Barca now only have the Champions League left to play for, with their round of 16-second leg tie against Napoli set to take place in Lisbon next month.

After watching his side suffer a damaging 2-1 defeat in their own backyard, Setien admitted that his time in charge at Camp Nou could draw to a close before European football resumes.

He told reporters post-match: "I hope to be the Barcelona coach in the Champions League but I don't know."

Lionel Messi was scathing in his assessment of Barca's form in 2020 following the Osasuna defeat, as he expressed his belief that they made it easy for Madrid to win back La Liga.

Setien says he understands the Argentine's frustrations, but also believes that the Blaugrana have been the victims of bad luck on several occasions in their quest for continued domestic dominance.

"I agree with Messi on some things," he added. "We have to do self-criticism and if we don't do it, it will cost us anything we want to do.

"We have tried to improve during these months that we have been here, there are things that have cost us and [overshadowed the] many times that we have done well.

"It all comes down to success, today the opponent shot three times and scored two goals, we had fifteen [shots] and we were not right."

Antonio Conte is "pleased" for Christian Eriksen but admits he wants to see more from the playmaker once he fully settles into life at Inter.

The Denmark international returned to Inter's starting line-up for Thursday's 4-0 win over bottom side SPAL after being brought on as a late substitute in their last two matches.

Eriksen has struggled for form since the three-month hiatus and there have been suggestions he could be sold at the end of the season, six months after joining from Tottenham.

But while Conte believes the 28-year-old can still develop his game in some areas, he is happy with the improvements already made since arriving in January. 

"Christian is working, he's trying to get into the mechanisms of the team and of a league that is much more tactical than in England," Conte told DAZN.

"He's a player with quality who is trying to improve, to be more aggressive when in pressing, which is what we are asking of him.

"I'm pleased for him, but he has to keep working, just like the others. He is quite a shy lad who is settling into a new reality, a new type of football. 

"He's a really good guy and didn't arrive with any arrogance. At the same time, he must understand shyness is fine off the field.

"But he has to adapt and understand certain situations. He creates no problems, he wants to achieve important things with Inter."

Alexis Sanchez stole the show against SPAL by setting up Antonio Candreva for the opener, playing a part in Cristiano Biraghi's strike and then heading in the third before Roberto Gagliardini rounded things off.

The Chile forward is set to return to Manchester United when his loan spell expires at the end of the elongated campaign but Conte is delighted with the impact he has made.

"Alexis is a player we wanted strongly – he has important characteristics," Conte said. "He came from two bad seasons at United but I knew what kind of player we were taking.

"It's a loan deal and United are paying a good part of his salary. Now he is starting to feel good. 

"For now he is a player who has rediscovered his form and wants to play. He is hungry and I am happy for him because he has suffered. He is certainly an extra weapon for us."

Back-to-back wins for Inter in the space of four days, combined with three games without a win for Juventus, lifts them up to second and within six points of top spot.

Conte is glad that his side are starting to show some consistency but acknowledges the title is still Juve's to lose as they boast a six-point lead with five games to go. 

"The important thing for us was to send a signal of our consistency, our belief, hunger and determination, because these games on paper might seem easy, but we know there's nothing easy," Conte said at his post-match news conference.

"SPAL were tough opponents and kept going. We wanted to secure a Champions League spot, position ourselves in second place again and get closer to those ahead of us, even if they are still a long way away.

"I think the signals sent by the team are ones of mental strength, even if we had a few hiccups along the way and paid a heavy price for them.

"The championship is certainly in the hands of Juventus. We must try to continue to do well and improve, to think about only us. 

"Now we have a difficult game against Roma and we have little time to recover. If we want to put pressure on those in front we will have to win."

Florentino Perez is sure Sergio Ramos will end his career at Real Madrid after leading them to their 34th La Liga title on Thursday.

Los Blancos' 2-1 victory over Villarreal secured their first league title since 2016-17 as they brought great rivals Barcelona's grip on the trophy to a close.

Ramos was influential throughout the campaign, scoring five times in the previous 10 La Liga games, to collect a fifth title-winners' medal of his illustrious Real Madrid career.

The 34-year-old is out of contract at the end of next season and said he would like to finish his career with Madrid, though admitted it was dependent on what Perez wanted.

Ramos had been linked with a departure in 2019, with rumours circulating he could head to China, although he has since recommitted his future to Real Madrid.

The club president is also keen for Ramos to end his playing days in the famous white shirt, saying that he fully expects him to stay on with the club going forward.

"Ramos will surely end his career at Madrid," Perez told Movistar.

"Although there is talk of that, it will not change, everyone is calm. He is more than a captain. He has led the team with enormous leadership."

Perez also hailed coach Zinedine Zidane for bringing the title back to the Spanish capital.

Zidane won La Liga and three successive Champions Leagues in his first stint as boss and only returned in March last year after answering an SOS from Perez.

Though Madrid have not always been as thrilling to watch as in recent seasons, Perez knows the importance of the Frenchman.

"He has won a title every 19 games," he said. "It is a blessing from heaven and that he is with us for a long time.

"They criticise him for what they want. We will continue to win titles."

Madrid have been relentless since the restart following the coronavirus-enforced break, winning all 10 of their matches, and Perez has been impressed by the team's consistency.

"We have trained well and we have had the mentality to return with the desire to win this title," he added.

"The strength we had has been seen by everyone. It will go down in Madrid's history."

Having gone through his Covid-19 precautionary quarantine following his arrival in Malaysia, US-based teenager Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal finally joined the Malaysia U-19 centralised camp on Thursday.

"My quarantine involved a lot of sleeping, trying to adjust to the 14-hour time difference. But I also tried to stay active, workouts in my room, [going on] the exercise bike, just moving as much as I can. I think I did a pretty good job!" 

As expected, the 18-year old garnered most of the media attention just before the evening training began at the Malaysian FA (FAM) headquarters in Kelana Jaya.

"It's definitely been a long time coming," said Kuzri. "I'd just been waiting for my [Malaysia youth team] call-up and I finally got it. Now I look forward to proving that I belong and that I can make it (called up for 2020 AFC U-19 Championship).

"I don't know much about the team because I came here with an open mind, I want to see where I can fit in and adapt in the team."

The teenager who plays for USL Championship side St. Louis FC's junior team also spoke about the advice given to him by two of his prominent elder brothers.

21-year old Wan Kuzain is a midfielder for MLS club Sporting Kansas City's reserve team, while 33-year old Wan Ahmad Fayhsal was recently appointed Malaysia's deputy minister of youth and sports.

"They just told me that this is a good chance for me to make a good impression on the team, and that I should play as well as I always do."

His absence from club commitment too was well-received by St. Louis according to him, although he clarified that he has yet to make up his mind about committing fully to USA or Malaysia. 

"They (St. Louis) congratulated me; obviously they still want me there, but they think this is a big opportunity for me to come out here and prove myself.

"I'd be honored to represent either USA or Malaysia."

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Mutiu Adepoju is among those revelling in LaLiga success of Real Madrid after Thursday’s 2-1 defeat of Villarreal on Thursday.

Karim Benzema scored a goal in each half as Los Blancos clinched a 34th Spanish elite division title at the expense of Barcelona that bowed 2-1 at home to Osasuna.

The Frenchman opened the scoring after 29 minutes as Casemiro picked off Sofian Chakla’s pass and Luka Modric laid into the path of Benzema who scored through the legs of Sergio Asenjo.

Zinedine Zidane’s men were gifted a chance to double the lead when Los Blancos were awarded a penalty by referee Alejandro Hernandez after Chakla clipped Sergio Ramos who whizzed forward.

In the resulting kick, the captain cheekily passed the ball off the spot for Benzema to score, only for the latter to have encroached, but Benzema clinically dispatched the re-take into the bottom-left corner.

With seven minutes left to play, Vicente Iborra pulled one back for the Yellow Submarine, albeit, that could not deny the hosts all points at stake.

Fuelled by the excitement of seeing his former team crowned as Spanish league champions, the Nigerian football great and LaLiga ambassador took to social media to celebrate the feat in a series of tweets.

“I feel on cloud nine tonight seeing my darling team win their 34th LaLiga Santander title after defeating Villarreal,” the former Real Sociedad and Racing Santander man tweeted.

“From coach Zizou down to captain Ramos and Benzema, the victory is very well deserved following the extraordinary hard work.

“Kudos to you all. Now, we have the Champions League to fight for! Until then, Who will join me to party tonight? #HalaMadrid.”

Real Madrid will celebrate their title triumph with a trip to Leganes, while Villarreal end their campaign at home to Eibar.

After that, Zidane and his men will focus their attention on the Champions League’s diadem. Having bowed 2-1 in their Round of 16 first leg clash against Manchester City, they must now erase their deficit in the return leg at the Etihad Stadium.

Should they defeat Pep Guardiola’s men over two legs, they will face either Lyon or Juventus for a place in the semi-final.

Hugo Lloris says Tottenham striker Harry Kane "wants at least 100 more goals" after reaching his double century.

Kane took his career tally at club level to 201 in 350 appearances across all competitions by scoring twice in Spurs' 3-1 victory away at Newcastle on Wednesday night.

Son Heung-min's first-half effort was cancelled out by a Matt Ritchie thunderbolt in the 56th minute, but Jose Mourinho's side regained the lead when Kane headed home a pinpoint Steven Bergwijn cross on the hour mark.

The England international added extra gloss to the scoreline when he nodded a rebound into the back of the net following a great run from Eric Lamela in stoppage time, as Spurs moved to within one point of sixth-placed Wolves.

185 of Kane's goals have come in a Tottenham shirt, and Lloris is certain that the 26-year-old's insatiable hunger for glory in the final third will see him score plenty more before he finally hangs up his boots.

When asked to assess Spurs' latest performance, the French goalkeeper told the club's official website: “We played against a team that wanted to play, it was quite open, especially in the second half.

"We were a bit worried at 1-0 because we couldn’t control the game. It was open, we conceded and then we reacted in a fantastic way. We showed personality and we came back into the game with two goals from Harry, by the way, goal numbers 200 and 201 - an amazing record and we are all proud of him and happy for him.

“You know Harry, he doesn’t want to stop at this stage - I think he wants at least 100 more. His target as soon as he goes on the pitch is to score goals. You know how good he is in front of goal and his attitude to be clinical.”

Lloris went on to describe the experience of playing in an empty St James' Park - a ground which has always been respected for the intense atmosphere generated by the fierce support of the Toon Army.

“It’s the Premier League. There are a lot of tough places to deal with everywhere in the country, and you never know what to expect in front of you because there is a lot of quality,” the Tottenham shot-stopper added. “What a strange feeling to play in this amazing stadium, empty. Usually, the atmosphere is fantastic.

“We came for the three points though and this is what we got at the end - that’s the most important thing. There are some results that will help us to keep our belief with two games to go, and we will finish as high as we can and try to win the next two games.”

Mbao FC boosted their chances of playing in the Tanzania Mainland League next season after a hard-fought 3-2 win over champions Simba SC.

Rajabu Rashidi, Waziri Junior and Jordan John were on target for the Mwanza based side with Meddie Kagere and Miraji Athumani replying for the hosts.

The newly crowned champions came into the match aiming at bouncing back from three successive 0-0 draws in the top-tier against Tanzania Prisons, Ndanda FC and Namungo.

However, the 4-1 win in the Kariakoo Derby in the FA Cup quarter-final over sworn rivals Yanga SC was to motivate Wekundu wa Msimbazi on Thursday. 

For the Mwanza based side, a win was vital considering their status on the table. Mbao came into the match in 19th position with 35 points, and with a handful of games remaining, a win was vital.

The visitors needed just five minutes to get their deserved lead. Ali Salim pulled a fantastic save to deny the relegation-threatened side, but the danger was not cleared. A fierce strike from 25 yards was not cleared by the keeper, but the rebound fell kindly to Rajabu Rashidi who took it well to hand his team the lead.

In the 33rd minute, the 21-time league champions levelled matters. Gadiel Michael was fouled in the danger zone by Abdulrahman Said and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Rwandan Meddie Kagere rose for the occasion to score his first goal since the league resumed and his 20th in the 2019/20 season. 

With a few minutes to the break, Herbert Lukindo picked Waziri Junior between the defenders, and the latter took a one-time shot to restore his team's lead.

The Sven Vandenbroeck-led charges came back strongly in search of an equalizer. Muzamiru Yassin forced the goalkeeper to an excellent save in the 52nd minute. The ball went out for a corner and Miraji Athuman managed to capitalize on it.

The defenders let him loose in the red zone and the attacking midfielder capitalized on the advantage to head the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net.

Mbao were determined to get maximum points from the game and their effort was rewarded once again with minutes to go. The impressive Lukindo capitalized on his marker's slip up to pick out Jordan John.

John turned his defender inside out before comfortably beating Salim from about 10 yards to score his team's third goal. It turned out to be the winner 

It was the first time Mbao defeated Simba in Dar es Salaam.

They will now have to win their three remaining matches to stand a chance of playing in the league beyond this season. They are on 38 points, just three below safety.

Only three points separate 13th placed Mtibwa Sugar and Mbao remain in the second last position.